Opposition chief Raila Odinga on Monday, March 20, led his supporters in protesting against President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza government.
The protests which were done across the country were however not peaceful as the opposition chief had promised.
For instance, supporters of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition party were teargassed in Nairobi as they engaged police officers in running battles.
Further, a University student was reportedly shot dead in Kisumu during the protests called by Raila Odinga.
Further, Raila Odinga’s convoy was teargassed and the police went ahead and used live bullets in what the opposition claimed was an attempt to eliminate Raila.
Both the government and the opposition traded accusations over who should take responsibility for the chaos with each side claiming innocence.
As such, a section of allies of President William Ruto now wants the former Prime Minister arrested over chaos witnessed during his anti-government protests.
Led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa and his Senate counterpart Aaron Cheruiyot, the leaders on Wednesday, March 22, asked Inspector General of police Japheth Koome to arrest Raila.
“We want to tell the Inspector-General not to just arrest small boys but the buck stops with Raila Odinga, he should go for him and if he has sponsors, he should go for them as well, otherwise people will protect themselves and their properties,” Ichungwa said.
On his part, Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot urged Raila supporters to ignore his calls for mass protests saying that they are meant to divide the country.
“I want to tell the people of Nyanza that the President means well and all areas will get their development share. There is no need to go to the streets as advocated by Odinga,” Cheruiyot said.
Raila who has announced holding demos every Monday and Thursday is accusing the government of being “illegitimate”, and of failing to tackle the high cost of living, claims that President Ruto has denied.
